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Beth Bradford
TUESDAY, February 20, 2018 / Vol. 4 Issue 8 / 75 cents
Vining resigns as Clinton superintendent After an executive session lasting almost two hours, the Clinton School Board emerged to vote on accepting the resignation of district Superintendent Andrew Vining. The vote was unanimous to accept the resignation. Jeff Wyborny, the board secretary, said the resignation would become effective June 30, 2018,
and that Vining would continue to receive his regular pay from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. Vining is paid $106,000 per year. Vining was heavily criticized last month when he put the school on lockdown after a call to the FBI about a possible school shooting threat. During a town hall meeting, parent
after parent called for his ouster. Because personnel matters are handled in executive session, the reason behind Vining’s resignation is not known to the public. After the resignation was accepted, Vining said, “I wish the district nothing but the best.” Also at the meeting, a couple of law-
suits were mentioned. Clinton lawyer Eddie Morgan told the board about the lawsuit filed against the county by Southwestern Energy over how the gas is taxed. He said that SWN could withhold taxes while the case is being decided, but said that would not really hurt the school because It is always going to get state fund-
Vining said the suit cannot be discussed in public or in executive session.
Ordinances pass with some debate
Decision on water left open The Shirley City Council once again tried to deal with the issue of water. After the last cold snap, Mayor Lisa Hackett said, there are now nine “bandages” instead of five on the pipe running across the bridge. She said it is urgent that the council decide what to do and asked individual counselors where they stand. She said it seemed everyone was onboard with allowing Community Water to take over the system. No one, she said, wanted to borrow the amount of money it would take to replace the pipe along the bridge joining the two sides of the city. And, the mayor added, residents could likely not afford what the cost might be for water if the money was borrowed. Margaret Earnhart suggested trying Johnson Waterworks on a six-month trial basis. Counselors Deborah Kerrigan and Ginny Stone said they had no problem with Community Water. Randall Gardner said he did not want the city to give away the system infrastructure and David Cook apologized for missing the town hall meetings. The mayor said she will seek a grant from Natural Resources to pay for refurbishing two water tanks. No decision on the big question was made. Also at the meeting, Erik’s Lawncare Service was hired to mow and trim weeds in the city at a cost of $700 per mowing. The council also approved a resolution on Marketplace Fairness, which would ensure proper collection of taxes on internet purchases. The Homecoming committee will hold its first meeting Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m.
ing for each student. How it could hurt, he said, is when SWN lets those funds go back to the school and the school is then over its allowance per student. The second lawsuit, which was mentioned by board President Darla McJunkins, is one filed by former School Resource Officer Steve Bradley. McJunkins
Trumpeter Swans glide through a small shallow pond in the Alread area Friday evening. There were nine in all, and they stop by for about a month this time of year. By Saturday, they were gone, most likely heading to a lake near Heber Springs where they gather this time of year for people to feed and photograph them. (Photo by Robert R. Gaut)
School Board
Here is a note from Van Buren County Clerk Pam Bradford: Due to the School Board Elections being part of the primaries this election, we want to make sure we get everyone's petitions in in a timely manor to be able to check signatures. Filing will begin at noon Feb. 22 through March 1 at noon. Petitions will need to be turned in to the County Clerk's Voter Reg-
istration office by this date, preferably before Feb. 22. If you have any questions, contact me at 745-6995, or call Vicki in the VoterRegistration Office at 501-745-VOTE (8683).
State Senate
Breanne Davis and Robert Bailey face a March 13 rematch for the state Senate District 16 GOP nomination after neither drew a ma-
jority vote. Davis took 43 percent of the vote to 41 percent for Bailey and 15 percent for Luke Heffley.
Faulty digits?
On Feb. 7, the Damascus city attorney went to court to argue that the way the numbers were calculated to label the town a speed trap are faulty. Beau Wilcox told Circuit Judge Chris Carnahan that the Arkansas State Police failed to discard
A couple of ordinances brought some debate at Thursday’s Van Buren County Quorum Court meeting. The first discussion was on an ordinance that called for $9,000 in carry over funds to be moved over to economic development to help fund a project with Clinton and Fairfield Bay. The project is a 40x20 foot sign just south of Clinton that will trumpet events or things to do in the county. The cost to rent the land for the sign to be placed on will be $200/month. The funding is also for the Greers Ferry Little Red River tourism guide, which some didn’t seem to remember ever voting on. Though there was some discussion and Justice of the Peace Dale James noted that the hard-fought
2018 budget already has $99,000 added to it, the ordinance passed 7-1 with Todd Burgess casting the no vote. The other ordinance that brought some discussion was one to put $40,000 into the county attorney’s department to pay legal fees in the lawsuit filed against the county by SWN. Last month, $20,000 was set aside for the county’s legal defense. Burgess objected then, saying his constituents would benefit if SWN wins the case. This time, James asked what would happen if the county did nothing. County attorney Chad Brown did not think that was a good idea. When it came time to vote, James said, “Reluctantly, yes.” Burgess’ vote was a colorful “no.” The ordinance was approved 7-1.
fines collected for things such as warrants, jail fees and other non-traffic violations. These were the fees that pushed Damascus over the 30 percent revenue mark that declares a speed trap, Wilcox said. Carnahan said Wilcox will be responsible for collecting and presenting the data. Wilcox is aiming for Feb. 20.
School Resource Officer Steve Bradley has filed a federal lawsuit against the Clinton School District and the city of Clinton. Bradley claims he was not compensated for overtime hours and that Superintendent Andrew Vining repeatedly tried to make him waive his rights to claim overtime. The lawsuit was served on Jan. 25 and the defendants have 21 days to answer it.
Lawsuit
Former
Clinton
Charges say man spat on deputy A Clinton man was arrested Feb. 12 after locking himself into his bedroom. Kevin Jeremy Linn, 39, was intoxicated when his father called police to the residence because son was tearing up the place, according to an affidavit. Linn refused to come out of his bed-
room, so with the father’s permission, a deputy kicked down the door. Linn was lying on bed, and cursed at officers, the affidavit states. The report states that Linn was told to roll over and put hands behind his back. He refused. Deputies took Linn’s arms and one leg
and were able to get handcuffs on. When Linn was taken outside onto the porch, he began screaming that he was going to sue the sheriff’s office and attempted to pull away. The report states that Linn began to spit at a deputy. Linn was placed in deputy’s unit and continued to
spit, most of it hitting a folder on the cage partition, the deputy reported. The deputy radioed to the sheriff’s office to have restraint chair ready. Linn has been charged with aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, Class D felony, and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
Linn He has been charged as a habitual offender.